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HYCOAT · Project

Ultra-Thin Hybrid Coatings That Protect Electronics, Batteries, and Packaging at Molecular Precision

manufacturingTestedTRL 4
hycoat.eu

Imagine being able to spray-paint a protective layer on something — but instead of regular paint, each layer is just one molecule thick, and you can stack exactly as many layers as you need. That's what Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD) does. HYCOAT brought together 26 partners across Europe to figure out how to use this technique on real products: wrapping OLEDs so they last longer, making battery components safer, improving computer chips, and creating better food packaging. They built working demonstrators in all four areas to prove these coatings actually work outside the lab.

By the numbers
26
consortium partners across Europe and US
10
countries represented in the consortium
4
working demonstrators built (OLED, battery, thermoelectric, CMOS)
11
industry partners in the consortium
42%
industry ratio in the consortium
27
total project deliverables
4
SMEs participating in the project
The business problem

What needed solving

Manufacturers in electronics, batteries, and packaging need ultra-thin protective coatings that are perfectly uniform — even on complex 3D surfaces — but traditional coating methods cannot control thickness at the molecular level. This limits product performance, durability, and miniaturization in sectors from OLED displays to next-generation batteries.

The solution

What was built

The project built 4 working demonstrators: hybrid encapsulation for OLED displays, a Li-ion battery with MLD-coated solid electrolyte, a thermoelectric thin-film module, and CMOS interconnects with hybrid low-k dielectrics. In total, 27 deliverables were produced covering new coating chemistries, processes, and characterization methods.

Audience

Who needs this

OLED and flexible display manufacturers needing better encapsulation barriersLi-ion battery producers looking to improve electrode coatings and solid electrolytesSemiconductor companies working on advanced chip interconnectsFood and pharmaceutical packaging companies requiring ultra-thin barrier filmsThermoelectric device manufacturers seeking thin-film energy harvesting solutions
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Consumer Electronics & Display Manufacturing
enterprise
Target: OLED display manufacturers or flexible electronics producers

If you are an OLED display manufacturer struggling with moisture and oxygen degradation of your screens — this project built a demonstrator for hybrid encapsulation of OLED devices using MLD. The technique deposits uniform, conformal coatings with precise thickness control at the molecular scale, which can extend display lifetimes. The consortium included 11 industry partners who validated the approach.

Battery Manufacturing
mid-size
Target: Li-ion battery producers or EV battery suppliers

If you are a battery manufacturer looking to improve performance and safety of Li-ion cells — this project delivered a Li-ion battery demonstrator with porous solid electrolyte and dual conductor coatings. MLD enables coating battery electrode materials uniformly even on complex porous surfaces, improving ion conductivity while protecting against degradation. The project produced 4 working demonstrators across its application areas.

Semiconductor & Microelectronics
enterprise
Target: Chip manufacturers or semiconductor foundries

If you are a semiconductor company dealing with signal delay issues in increasingly dense chip interconnects — this project developed a CMOS interconnect demonstrator with hybrid low-k dielectric coatings. MLD provides the conformal, ultra-thin films needed for next-generation chip architectures where conventional deposition methods cannot reach. The work was validated with 10 industry partners and 2 university hospitals in the consortium.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt MLD coating technology in our production line?

The project data does not include specific cost figures for MLD equipment or integration. However, MLD uses self-limiting binary reactions similar to the established Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) technique, meaning existing ALD infrastructure may be partially adaptable. Contact the consortium partners for specific cost assessments.

Can MLD coatings be produced at industrial scale?

MLD is designed for scalability — it deposits uniform, conformal films regardless of substrate geometry. The consortium included 11 industry partners and 4 SMEs (42% industry ratio), suggesting real industrial interest and validation. The 4 demonstrators built during the project represent concrete steps toward production-scale readiness.

Who owns the intellectual property from this project?

IP generated under MSCA-ITN projects is typically shared between the training host institutions and the beneficiary organizations per Horizon 2020 rules. With 26 partners across 10 countries, licensing arrangements would need to be negotiated with specific consortium members. The coordinator (Universiteit Gent, Belgium) can direct IP inquiries.

How mature is this technology — is it ready for our factory floor?

The project produced 4 working demonstrators: OLED encapsulation, CMOS interconnects, thermoelectric modules, and Li-ion batteries. This places the technology at a tested/demonstrated stage, but not yet commercially deployed. Additional engineering would be needed to move from demonstrator to full production integration.

What industries were actually involved in testing?

The consortium had strong industry presence: 11 industry partners out of 26 total, including 4 SMEs. Application fields covered packaging, biomedical, electronics, and batteries — with 10 industries, 2 university hospitals, and a synchrotron facility actively participating in validation and testing.

Is this compatible with our existing coating or deposition equipment?

MLD is closely related to Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and uses similar self-limiting binary reaction principles. Based on project data, the technique offers unique advantages for growing uniform, conformal hybrid films with flexible control over thickness and composition. Integration specifics would depend on your current setup — the 11 industry partners in the consortium may offer integration guidance.

Are there regulatory considerations for these coatings in food or medical applications?

The project targeted biomedical coatings and packaging applications, with 2 university hospitals in the consortium for biomedical validation. Based on available project data, specific regulatory approvals are not detailed in the deliverables. Any food-contact or medical-device application would require standard regulatory clearance in the target market.

Consortium

Who built it

HYCOAT's consortium of 26 partners across 10 countries is unusually well-balanced for a training network, with an industry ratio of 42% — 11 industry partners including 4 SMEs alongside 11 universities and 3 research organizations. This strong industry presence, combined with 2 university hospitals and a synchrotron facility, means the research was continuously tested against real-world requirements rather than staying in the lab. The coordinator, Universiteit Gent in Belgium, is a leading European institution in thin-film deposition. For a business exploring this technology, the 11 industry partners are the most relevant contacts — they already understand how MLD fits into production environments and can speak to practical integration challenges.

How to reach the team

Universiteit Gent (Belgium) — search for the HYCOAT project lead in the chemistry or materials science department

Order a report on this consortiumSee UNIVERSITEIT GENT profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to know which HYCOAT partners can help with your specific coating challenge? SciTransfer can identify the right consortium contact and arrange an introduction.

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